A computer-implemented method is provided for guiding a robot in a robotic system, by creating a refined path, based on an initial path in a three-dimensional space. The method includes receiving data related to creating the initial path, including a start point and an endpoint, and generating the initial path by interpolating the start point and the endpoint. The method also includes receiving inputs for at least one support point that defines a coordinate in the three-dimensional space for altering the initial path, and adjusting the initial path to generate the refined path by modifying a set of one or more polynomial functions, such that the refined path interpolates the at least one support point between the start point and the endpoint. The method further includes providing the refined path to a second computing module for guiding the robot.

A robotic lawnmower (100) for movable operation within a work area (205) has a satellite navigation device (190), a deduced reckoning navigation sensor (195) and a controller (110). The controller causes the robotic lawnmower (100) to movably operate within the work area (205) in a first operating mode, the first operating mode being based on positions determined from satellite signals received by the satellite navigation device (190). The controller determines that a position cannot be reliably determined based on satellite signals received by the satellite navigation device (190), and in response thereto causes the robotic lawnmower (100) to movably operate within the work area (205) in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, a deduced reckoning position estimate is obtained by the deduced reckoning navigation device (195). A search space is defined using the deduced reckoning position estimate, and the satellite navigation device (190) is recalibrated based on the defined search space. Once the satellite navigation device (190) has been recalibrated, the controller causes the robotic lawnmower (100) to again operate in the first operating mode.

A method of operating a robotic cleaning device over a surface to be cleaned, the method being performed by the robotic cleaning device. The method includes: following a boundary of a first object while registering path markers including positional information at intervals on the surface; tracing previously registered path markers at an offset upon encountering one or more of the previously registered path markers; and switching from tracing the previously registered path markers to following an edge of a second object upon detection of the second object.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine at least one potential route for navigating a vehicle within a geographic region. A score that measures a comfort level associated with the potential route can be determined, wherein the score is determined based on at least one sensor map that segments the geographic region into a grid of cells, and wherein the comfort level for the potential route is determined based at least in part on cells through which the vehicle travels while navigating along the potential route. A determination is made whether to use the potential route for navigating the vehicle based at least in part on the score.

A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.

An apparatus such as a robot capable of performing goal oriented tasks may include one or more touch sensors to receive touch perception feedback on the location of objects and structures within an environment. A fusion engine may be configured to combine touch perception data with other types of sensor data such as data received from an image or distance sensor. The apparatus may combine distance sensor data with touch sensor data using inference models such as Bayesian inference. The touch sensor may be mounted onto an adjustable arm of a robot. The apparatus may use the data it has received from both a touch sensor and distance sensor to build a map of its environment and perform goal oriented tasks such as cleaning or moving objects.

A self-propelled, self-steering floor cleaning appliance is provided with at least one cleaning element for cleaning a floor surface, including a drive device having an undercarriage, a sensing part for sensing obstacles, at least one displaceable holding part for holding the sensing part on the floor cleaning appliance and at least one detection element for detecting a displacement of the at least one holding part and for providing a signal relating thereto. The floor cleaning appliance includes at least one accommodating part on which the at least one holding part is held so as to be displaceable in a first and a second direction of displacement, which is aligned at an angle to the first direction of displacement, and the at least one detection element is actuatable by the at least one holding part upon displacement of the holding part in the first and in the second directions of displacement.

A robot cleaner comprising: a first housing including a controller and a driving wheel of which driving is controlled by the controller; a second housing provided at one side of the first housing, the second housing having a brush module or mop module mounted thereto; a front bumper provided at a front portion of the second housing, the front bumper configured to be movable to the inside of the second housing when the front bumper is in contact with an obstacle; at least one sensing means provided at the inside of the front bumper to sense a movement of the front bumper to the inside of the second housing; side bumpers respectively provided at left and right side portions of the second housing, the side bumpers each being configured to movable to the inside of the second housing when the side bumper is in contact with an obstacle; and a link member provided at the inside of the side bumper to allow the side bumper and the front bumper to interlock with each other such that, when the side bumper is moved to the inside of the second housing, at least one portion of the front bumper is moved together with the side bumper to the inside of the second housing.

A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a wheel unit and a controller controlling driving of the wheel unit; a suction unit disposed to protrude from the cleaner body, the suction unit sucking air containing dust; and a sensing unit disposed at the front of the cleaner body in which the suction unit is disposed, wherein at least one portion of the sensing unit is disposed to overlap with the suction unit in the top-bottom direction of the cleaner body.

A system includes an inspection robot having an input sensor comprising a laser profiler and a plurality of wheels structured to engage a curved portion of an inspection surface, wherein the laser profiler is configured to provide laser profiler data of the inspection surface; a controller, comprising: a profiler data circuit structured to interpret the laser profiler data; determine a feature of interest is present at a location of the inspection surface in response to the laser profiler data; and wherein the feature of interest comprises a shape description of the inspection surface at the location of the feature of interest.